I know most of the newer ones have the plastic sleeved barrels. Anyone here have one of those that you've shot the heck out of? How's the barrel holding up, especially the friction areas and breech?

when i first pulled the Recon out of the box an saw all that plastic i said o bastid.
but nearly 2000 shots later and the only thing i see is a liittle chafing of the breech seal at the bottom, but all is well.
none of the composite or plastic even shows any wear.
it is well built even with the plastic.

That's good to know - thanks Craig. Wally world has the big cats on sale for under 100 bucks and I was thinking of picking one up as another project.

the recon is the second gamo, the first was a shadow 1000 they are the only two i have ever had.
can't complain.

Jon, they seem to be OK. If you get that BC, bring it with you when you come get the 500.;)

Jon,, Bout the Big Cat,, Ive had 2 of em,,, still got one in the br with a GRT111 trigger. No comment. The Ricon,,, Man what a FUN,, ACCURATE,, QUIET little shooter!! I shure miss mine!! The Gamo Ricon is what airguns are all about!! (Not a Hunter though) Just my 2 cents Bro. Tim.

i got a BC right now, and i think that those little things are nice... i've never shot a big bore rifleso i dont know of the recoil, but for a little .177 i think that the big cat has some recoil on it... i've only shot a little over 2 tins of 500 though it, and i've not had any major problems with it. i have my scope sighted in for 30 yards and i shoot 50 yards and not having the pellet drop.... for a gun under $150 i think that its at the top of its class

what i really like though about those "bull barrels" are that i dont have to worry about my hand oil getting on the steel barrel and eventally turning colors, another thing is that i'm hard on my guns and i like that its one less thing that i have to worry about getting scratched (by putting against a tree)